Correlation of DNA ploidy to tumor histologic grade, clinical variables, and survival in dogs with mast cell tumors.

By using flow cytometry, a retrospective analysis of the DNA content of 40 primary canine mast cell tumors and seven lymph nodes that contained metastatic mast cell tumor from 44 dogs of various breed, sex, and age was performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples of the tumors and nodes. These samples were chosen according to the following criteria: samples contained sufficient well-preserved tumor tissue in the paraffin block for processing, sufficient patient history data were available, clean and homogeneous cell suspensions were obtained after processing, and interpretable DNA histograms were produced on analysis. The ploidy data obtained were compared with the histopathologic grade, the anatomical site of occurrence, the clinical stage of the tumors, and the survival of the dogs. Over 70% (29/40) of the mast cell tumors were diploid. Three metastatic mast cell tumors in lymph nodes had the same ploidy status as their corresponding primary tumors. In five dogs, mast cell tumors from multiple sites in each dog displayed similar ploidy status. Of 26 dogs evaluated for survival times, 69% (18/26) had diploid tumors and 31% (8/26) had aneuploid tumors. When numbers of diploid versus aneuploid tumors were compared, no significant difference was found between any two grades, clinical stages, or anatomic sites. A significant difference (P = 0.02) was found, however, between aneuploid and diploid tumors when comparing Stage I and non-Stage I disease. The Kaplan-Meier survival plot indicated a tendency towards an increased survival within the first year in dogs with diploid versus aneuploid tumors (P = 0.06).     

Gossypol toxicity in preruminant calves

SUMMARY Twenty-four of 57 calves fed a diet containing 33% cotton seed meal (CSM) died between 7 and 15 weeks of age. Initial deaths were not accompanied by premonitory signs, but after CSM withdrawal most calves developed rough coats, anorexia, weakness, ascites and subcutaneous oedema. Those that died had large volumes of serous fluid in the body cavities, hard livers of ‘nutmeg’ appearance, and pulmonary congestion. Histopathologically the livers showed periacinar necrosis in acute cases and periacinar fibrosis in chronic cases. Lungs from several calves had oedema, haemosiderosis and fibrosis in some pulmonary vessels. Atrophy of myocardial fibres was present in most cases. The concentration of free gossypol in the diet was 100 to 220 mg/kg. Ante-mortem and post-mortem findings supported a diagnosis of gossypol poisoning. The deaths continued for 4 weeks after withdrawal of CSM from the diet.     

The use of ultrasonography in the reproductive evaluation of boars

The objective was to study the use of ultrasound as a complementary test in the breeding soundness evaluation in male pigs and study the pattern of echogenicity of the testicular parenchyma in boars of different racial groups. Twenty‐six adult boars from four different racial groups were used, 10 from the Piau breed (group 1), four from the commercial and finishing group (group 2), six Pietrain breed (group 3) and six from the Duroc breed (group 4). All animals were evaluated for breeding soundness evaluation and the ultrasound examination of the testicles. The groups of animals that were evaluated showed no difference in the main semen parameters that were evaluated, except for the sperm volume, concentration of the ejaculated sperm and the supravital staining; the lowest figures were for the animals from the Piau breed (group 1). In relation to the testicular biometrics, Duroc animals (group 4) had a greater scrotal width compared to the other groups. But when we assessed the intensity of pixels of the testicles, there was a difference between groups. The groups 2 (finishing animals), 3 (Pietrain) and 4 had no difference between themselves. Group 3 had greater pixel intensity in relation to group 1. Of the 26 animals studied, five showed an abnormality during ultrasound evaluation, like hydrocele, hyperechoic mass in the testicular parenchyma, cyst in the head of the epididymis and the presence of fluid in the head and tail of the epididymis. The various animal groups studied did not differ in the principal reproductive parameters evaluated, showing that despite the great variability of reproductive traits between breeds and within the same breed, the breeding soundness evaluation, the more complete it is, is essential for the selection of breeders and the ultrasonography of the reproductive system becomes an important addition in this examination.     

Phytoextraction of Cd and Zn with Salix viminalis in field trials

Abstract. Use of high biomass crops such as the willow Salix viminalis to extract metals for soil remediation has been proposed as an alternative to the low biomass-producing hyperaccumulating plants. High yields compensate for the moderate heavy-metal concentrations in the shoots of such species. We report the first long-term trials using Salix viminalis to extract heavy metals from two contaminated soils, one calcareous (5 years) and one acidic (2 years). Total metals extracted by the plants were 170 g Cd ha⁻¹ and 13.4 kg Zn ha⁻¹ from the calcareous soil after 5 years, and 47 g Cd ha⁻¹ and 14.5 kg Zn ha⁻¹ from the acidic soil after 2 years; in the first year outputs were negligible. After 2 years, Salix had performed better on the acidic soil because of larger biomass production and higher metal concentrations in shoots. Addition of elemental sulphur to the soil did not yield any additional benefit in the long term, but application of an Fe chelate improved the biomass production. Cd and Zn concentrations were significantly higher in leaves than stems, highlighting the necessity to collect leaves as well as shoots. On both soils, concentration in shoots decreased with time, indicating a decrease in extraction efficiency.     

Salivary gland neoplasia in the dog and cat: survival times and prognostic factors

Twenty-four dogs and 30 cats with histopathologically confirmed salivary gland neoplasia were retrospectively reviewed in a multi-institutional study. The predominant presenting complaint for animals with salivary gland neoplasia was that of a mass being noted by the owner; other common complaints included halitosis, dysphagia, and exophthalmia. Siamese cats were overrepresented, indicating a possible breed predisposition. The most common histopathological type was simple adenocarcinoma. Cats had more advanced disease at diagnosis than did dogs, and clinical staging was prognostic in dogs. The median survival times for dogs and cats were 550 days and 516 days, respectively.     

Die Variabilität einiger Komponenten der Allogamieneigung bei der Kulturgerste (Hordeum vulgare L. s. l.)

Zusammenfassung Zur Einschätzung der Allogamieneigung der Gerste wurde die Variabilität der für die Anemophilie bedeutenden Merkmale Stigmatagröße, Antherenlänge und Antherenejektion geprüft. In Voruntersuchungen an 5000 Sommer- und 1000 Wintergersten konnten 155 Sippen gefunden werden, die zur Chasmogamie neigen. Bei der autogamen Kulturgerste sind die Anemophiliemerkmale gegenüber den allogamenHordeum-Species meist deutlich reduziert. Das betrifft besonders die Antherenlänge und die Antherenejektion, während die Stigmatagröße, die auch bei Autogamen den Ansatz und damit die Anzahl der Nachkommen beeinflußt, relativ wenig vermindert ist. In allen Merkmalen wurde eine große Variabilität der Komponenten der Anemophilie gefunden, auch bei der im allgemeinen strenger autogamen Sommergerste.

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Some aspects of the tendency to allogamy and their variability in barley (Hordeum vulgare L. s. l.)

Summary The variability of stigma size, anther length, and anther extrusion as important characters of anemophily was examined in barley to estimate its tendency to allogamy. 5000 spring and 1000 winter barleys were examined, 155 of which exhibited a tendency to chasmogamy. The characters of anemophily are reduced for the most part of autogamous cultivated barleys compared with allogamousHordeum species, especially as to anther length (table 4) and anther extrusion (table 5). There is a relatively little reduction of stigma size (table 3), because this character influences the seed set and with this the number of offspring in autogamous species too. A comparatively high variability could be found for all characters of anemophily even in spring barley, which is in general stronger autogamous than winter barley.

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(Hordeum vulgare L. s. 1.)

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Altered expression of G proteins in thyroid gland adenomas obtained from hyperthyroid cats

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether expression of G proteins (G(i) and G(s)) is altered in thyroid gland adenomas obtained from hyperthyroid cats. SAMPLE POPULATION: Adenomatous thyroid glands obtained from 8 hyperthyroid cats and thyroid glands obtained from 4 age-matched euthyroid cats. PROCEDURE: Expression of G(i) and G(s) was quantified in enriched membrane preparations of thyroid gland tissue, using immunoblotting with G(i) and G(s) antibodies and toxin-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation. RESULTS: Expression of G(i) was significantly reduced in thyroid gland adenomas from hyperthyroid cats, compared with normal thyroid gland tissue from euthyroid cats. Expression of G(s) was similar between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A decrease in expression of G in adenomatous thyroid glands of cats may reduce the negative inhibition of the cAMP cascade in thyroid cells, leading to autonomous growth and hypersecretion of thyroxine. Understanding the molecular mechanisms for hyperthyroidism in cats may lead to better treatment or, ultimately, prevention of the disease.     

Bill impaction in a group of captive Caribbean flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber ruber).

Flamingos are filter feeders that only rarely ingest larger food items. Their bill anatomy is adapted to the suction, filtration, and ejection of a fluid medium. This case report documents a rare case of bill impaction in a group of Caribbean flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber) that were kept in a mixed exhibit together with roseate spoonbills (Platalea ajaja) and scarlet ibis (Eudocimus ruber). The latter species received fatty minced meat as part of their diet, which was also accessible to the flamingos. Weakness and poor body condition of one flamingo were noted. On clinical examination, the animal was emaciated, hypoglycemic, and showed a severe impaction of the bill with a mixture of lard, mud, and sand. This mixture had compressed the tongue and eventually had most likely prevented further food intake. In five additional flamingos, a bulging of the gular area, similar to the extension of this area during the tongue-retraction stage of the feeding cycle, was noted and interpreted as a sign of tongue displacement by similar masses in their bills. All animals were caught and the masses removed. All animals resumed food intake immediately, and the emaciated animal rapidly improved in condition. Food presentation was changed so that the trays for the other species were no longer accessible to the flamingos, and no similar problems have been observed since that time.